Sometimes when we wake up in the morning, our minds might already start racing before our feet even touch the floor. Hearts burdened, spirits heavy, worry begins to creep in before we’ve fully started our day. There’s so much in this life we can start to feel anxious about, even when we know Truth and believe that God’s in control. Fear can be a daily battle, and we may wrestle with feeling great pressure under the weight of responsibilities we’re carrying.
If you’ve found yourself there recently, here’s hope from God’s Word. The Psalms offer countless verses of real-life struggles and prayers for God’s strength and covering. No matter what we may be facing today, we can choose to set our hearts and minds on His truth, believing that He is with us and giving us strength, every step of the way.
Here are 5 reminders from the Psalms to help start your day with peace and strength.
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Psalm 121 - Our help comes from the Lord:
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:1-8)
This powerful Psalm is a hope-filled reminder that we can fully depend on God for help, that He is constantly watching over us, protecting our coming and going. Sometimes when we keep looking all around us, we can easily get defeated. We just need the reminder again, to “look up.”
Our God is all-powerful. He is a mountain mover and Creator of heaven and earth. He’s with us, always, breathing help and strength into our souls, into our day. He won’t allow us to fall. We may find ourselves on slippery slopes, or the path we’re walking seems to be full of potholes and obstacles.
But the God who knows all knows our way. And even when we stumble, as our eyes are fixed on Him, He will keep our footsteps firm. For He watches over us and never sleeps or slumbers. He keeps us safe in His care. He protects us like the shade protects from the heat of the day. We can be assured that whatever He’s given us to do in this life, His covering of protection rests over all our work and efforts.
Listen Now: How to Find Peace in Anxiety:
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Psalm 103 - God is our Redeemer, and crowns us with love and compassion:
"Praise the Lord, O my soul...who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your life with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's....The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love...for as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him, as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgression from us..." (Psalm 103:1-22)
No matter what we may be up against, God’s promises stand true. Often, when we’re facing hard seasons, it may seem easier to complain about everything than to offer God praise. Yet, these verses remind us again of all we can be thankful for. His truths never change based on how we’re doing day by day, or what we may be walking through at any certain time.
There’s great power in choosing to set our hearts and minds on Christ; offering Him praise for who He is and the way He’s at work in our lives. He forgives our sins. He heals our diseases. He redeems our lives from the pit. He crowns us with love and compassion. He satisfies us with good things and renews us. He is compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in love. Remembering God’s promises, and choosing to praise Him and trust His Sovereignty, is the first step towards finding hope in your day.
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Psalm 91 - God will protect our way:
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!’ He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge...” (Psalm 91:1-4)
The enemy will always tempt us to believe we are forgotten and left on our own. We must make the choice to step right over his traps. Though we may not see it fully, God is leading and carrying us, even when we don’t understand how we’re even getting through each day. The Bible is filled with countless reminders that He loves us and that His Presence covers us, goes before us, and hems us in from behind. God never asks us to face the struggles alone. He’s with us always and promises to fight for our battles.
This entire chapter of Psalm 91 is filled with the goodness and power of God. No wonder it’s the 9-1-1 chapter, for it gives us great reminders that our Lord faithfully works on behalf of all those who love Him. And at the end of it all, He gives 8 reasons why we don’t have to fear. He promises this:
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalm 91:14-16)
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Psalm 46 - God calls us to find rest and peace in Him:
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea…God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day…The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress…Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will exalted in the earth...The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." (Psalm 46:1-11)
One of the hardest things I've learned in life, especially in the tough days, is simply this: Be still, more. When we're often so prone to hurry and worry, this may feel like such a huge challenge. But we should never allow the pressures of what we’re facing get in the way of just spending much-needed time in God’s Presence. It’s truly the most important minutes of our day; and will bring peace to our spirit and strength to the day.
Maybe everything hasn't gone as planned in recent days. Maybe times seem hard or we're not sure what God is doing through this difficult season. But whatever's concerning us, we can entrust it to our powerful God, for He knows every burden we’ve carried. And He cares. God’s truths and time spent with Him will help us to quit spiraling into cycles of worry, as our hearts and minds become more focused on Him. The very God who causes the sun to rise every morning, who created us, and all that we see, holds the whole world in His hands. He keeps us safe and secure in His care, and reminds us, He hasn’t lost control. Not ever.
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Psalm 23 - The Lord is our Shepherd and He will lead the way:
“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23:1-6)
This beautiful Psalm written by David reminds us that God is our constant caring shepherd and faithful guide. In Him alone we have hope, both in this life and through all of eternity. These words are a treasure to our souls, reminding us that in whatever we face, we never walk alone, and we do not have to fear. Meditating and memorizing this chapter of Psalm will bring peace and comfort to each day, through every season of life, no matter what we may face.
God is the only One who has the power to truly restore our souls and lead our way. His goodness and love will follow us, chase after us, every day of our lives. That’s how very much He cares for us. Even in the darkest times that this life may bring, He is our safe place, and we can find refuge in Him.
It’s a new day ahead my friends, and a gift straight from God’s hand. If you woke up this morning, then we can be assured that God has great purpose for our lives, for this day. May He help us to lift our eyes and hearts towards Him; choose to find joy and live every moment for His glory.
"This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24)
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Debbie McDaniel is a writer, pastor's wife, mom to three amazing kids (and a lot of pets). Join her each morning on Fresh Day Ahead's Facebook page, for daily encouragement in living strong, free, hope-filled lives. Find her also on Twitter and at her blog www.debbiemcdaniel.com.
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